Tony Romo has always been one of the most underappreciated quarterbacks in the NFL when healthy, but it’s the staying healthy part that has been a challenge for him. How much longer can the 36-year-old keep playing if he continues along that path?
At least four more seasons, according to him.
Earlier this offseason, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he expects Romo to be the team’s quarterback for four or five more years. Romo, who has worked his way back from surgery after breaking his clavicle multiple times, told ESPN’s Todd Archer that he agrees with that timeline. He also said he feels great heading into training camp.
“I’m not in my mid-20s anymore, but I do think based on what my situation has been like the last three or four years, I do think this [offseason] is drastically different,” Romo said Wednesday. “It takes me back five years ago when I was able to do things the way [I had]. I’m not there yet. I still got these months to just get after it, but it’s exciting to actually be able to get after it a little bit. But if everything keeps going the way it’s going, I think it’s going to be exciting going into camp.”
Romo broke his collarbone twice last season and underwent surgery in March, but he now calls the injury a “non-issue.” He also had two back operations in 2013 and was limited heading into the 2014 season because of the procedures.
“The further removed I am from surgery — and now it’s been quite a while — I can go a lot longer periods of time doing what I could do before,” Romo said. “But for shorter periods of time before, it would just get heavy or I’d need a break or rest.”
Four or five more seasons might be possible, but you have to wonder how effective Romo will be during that span. The better question is will Jones be patient if Romo starts showing signs of age. Judging by what he once said about having a succession plan in place for Romo, you have to wonder what would happen if Romo goes down with another serious injury.
